Flyers

Flyers-Red Wings: Game 32 Preview

By
Kevin Durso
Author photo
Kevin Durso Sports Editor

I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.

All posts by Kevin Durso
Sports Editor

Published18 Dec 2018

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9-17-2018_FlyersvsIslanders_preseason_wu_credKateFrese-12

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Red Wings: Game 32 Preview

It's certainly a new day and a new look for the Flyers. Chuck Fletcher is in the GM booth, just over two weeks into his new job. Scott Gordon will be behind the bench as the Flyers interim head coach. A new face will be in goal too.

With all of that happening, the Flyers get back to action following a disappointing road trip that forced the team's hand to make a coaching change. They take on the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night looking to start anew with a win.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Detroit Red Wings GP G A P
Claude Giroux 31 11 28 39 Dylan Larkin 34 14 18 32
Jake Voracek 31 8 17 25 Gustav Nyquist 34 9 21 30
Sean Couturier 29 13 11 24 Andreas Athanasiou 30 11 9 20
Travis Konecny 31 9 10 19 Frans Nielsen 30 5 15 20
Wayne Simmonds 31 10 4 14 Tyler Bertuzzi 32 9 9 18
 
Player to Watch
19 Nolan Patrick 72 Andreas Athanasiou
Last 5 Games: 0 G, 1 A, 1 P, -2 Last 5 Games: 0 G, 2 A, 2 P, E
 
Nolan Patrick has struggled mightily of late. His last goal was on Nov. 10. He has just one point in the 14 games since. Yet Patrick could be on the first line with Claude Giroux and Travis Konecny if the lines from Monday's practice hold up. This is an opportunity for him to get going, and the Flyers certainly need him to soon.
 
Speed is the name of Andreas Athanasiou's game and if he can use it to expose the Flyers, he's got finishing ability. He hasn't scored a goal in nine games, but the Flyers have been a cure for goal slumps lately. 
 
Goalie Matchup
79 Carter Hart 35 Jimmy Howard
0 GP, 0-0-0, -.– GAA, .— SV% 23 GP, 10-7-4, 2.69 GAA, .922 SV%

It's the moment many have waited for. Ready or not, Carter Hart is in for the Flyers. Hart was called up on Monday and will make his NHL debut on Tuesday night.

Jimmy Howard has been fairly steady for the Red Wings this season, picking up 10 wins in his 22 starts with a solid .922 save percentage. Howard has wins in three of his last five starts.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Brian Elliott, Anthony Stolarz, Corban Knight

Scratches: Jori Lehtera, Jordan Weal, Christian Folin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 19 Nolan Patrick 11 Travis Konecny
17 Wayne Simmonds 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
25 James van Riemsdyk 21 Scott Laughton 12 Michael Raffl
23 Oskar Lindblom 44 Phil Varone 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 6 Travis Sanheim  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 8 Robert Hagg  
47 Andrew MacDonald 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
79 Carter Hart    

Lineup Notes

Phil Varone and Oskar Lindblom are back in the lineup on the fourth line with Jordan Weal and Jori Lehtera sitting out. The forward lines were shuffled at Monday's practice, but remained the same on Tuesday. The defensive pairs had a new look on Tuesday morning as well.

Red Wings Projected Lineup

Injuries: Evgeny Svechnikov, Danny Dekeyser, Anthony Mantha, Mike Green

Scratches: Darren Helm, Wade Megan, Luke Witkowski, 

Left Wing Center Right Wing
14 Gustav Nyquist 71 Dylan Larkin 8 Justin Abdelkader
26 Thomas Vanek 51 Frans Nielsen 72 Andreas Athanasiou
59 Tyler Bertuzzi 41 Luke Glendening 27 Michael Rasmussen
70 Christoffer Ehn 61 Jacob De La Rose 42 Martin Frk
Defense    
55 Niklas Kronwall 3 Nick Jensen  
21 Dennis Cholowski 83 Trevor Daley  
52 Jonathan Ericsson 17 Filip Hronek  
Goalie    
35 Jimmy Howard    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (29th, T-26th at home), Red Wings (21st, 7th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th, T-25th at home), Red Wings (T-18th, 3rd on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Red Wings
    • Dec. 20, 2017 – Flyers 4, Red Wings 3 (at PHI)
    • Jan. 23, 2018 – Flyers 3, Red Wings 2 (F/OT) (at DET)
    • March 20, 2018 – Red Wings 5, Flyers 4 (F/SO) (at DET)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Red Wings
    • Claude Giroux – 20 GP, 7 G, 18 A, 25 P
    • Sean Couturier – 16 GP, 6 G, 6 A, 12 P
    • Jake Voracek – 33 GP, 6 G, 18 A, 24 P
    • James van Riemsdyk – 21 GP, 8 G, 5 A, 13 P
  • Milestone Watch
    • Wayne Simmonds needs three goals to reach 200 as a Flyer.
    • Jake Voracek plays in his 800th NHL game tonight.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic